The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has noted with concern that private accommodation providers have not received payment and are actively working to resolve any payment challenges. The non-payment of accommodation may put some students at risk of being evicted.
NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving learners enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges The funding not only includes money for tuition and registration fees but also includes several allowances for food, accommodation and learning materials.
The accommodation allowance paid by NSFAS is critical for many students who otherwise not be able to afford to live near their place of study while they earn their qualifications. NSFAS provides money for accommodation provided by institutions as well as private landlords.
Reports indicate that several landlords have not received payments for NSFAS students living in their accommodation and some have allegedly resorted to locking students out of their rooms.
NSFAS Administrator, Freeman Nomvalo received several complaints regarding the alleged locking out of students due to outstanding payments Freeman has instructed NSFAS staff to urgently attend to these matters.
To ensure that these developments do not further disrupt teaching and learning, the Administrator would like to urge the affected landlords to cooperate with the established NSFAS process to attend to all concerns.
NSFAS has also set up a dedicated email address to process all disputes or concerns related to unpaid accommodation allowances. The dedicated email address is [email protected]
All landlords are encouraged to deposit their disputes or concerns only insofar as outstanding payments are concerned.
NSFAS indicated that submissions from landlords must be submitted by 10 May 2024
All disputes and concerns regarding alleged outstanding payments for private student accommodation must be deposited at this email address no later than the 10th of May 2024.
The NSFAS administrator said the scheme is committed to working with all affected parties to resolve payment issues and is committed to a speedy resolution.
The Administrator wishes to apologise to all affected Institutions, students and landlords and commit to a speedy resolution. We are committed to working with all the stakeholders to find workable solutions for the betterment of the Post School Education and Training System.
